Stop and search technique catches town centre drug offenders

A clampdown on people carrying drugs in Tonbridge has led to further arrests.

Police have been checking pubs and the town centre and officers have now stopped and searched 39 people this month under the Misuse of Drugs Act.

Neighbourhood policing and plain clothed officers were out in force on Friday, in areas including the High Street and outside the train station.

A 42-year-old woman was found in possession of a small amount of cocaine outside a bar in Barden Road and was given a police caution. A police caution was also handed to a 19-year-old man caught with an amount of MDMA in Shipbourne Road.

At Tonbridge train station a drugs dog was deployed outside entrances to help detect anyone carrying drugs from entering or leaving the town. This led to a 35-year-old man from Maidstone being charged with possession of both cocaine and cannabis.

Other arrests had been made the previous Saturday, including that of a man stopped in the High Street, on suspicion of possessing cocaine. His arrest led officers to also uncover cannabis at a nearby residential property.

A 30 year-old man, of Cannons Wharf, Tonbridge, was charged with possessing cannabis and cocaine and bailed to appear at Sevenoaks Magistrates’ Court on May 2.

Police Constable Joe Breen, who lead the operations, said: “The message is very simple; expect to be caught if you are carrying drugs and expect to face the consequences.

“The majority of people are out enjoying themselves and welcome this type of action.

“By running these operations on a regular basis those who are breaking the law are reminded that officers can be anywhere at any time and illegal activity will not be tolerated.

“Having a visible presence also means we are able to identify persistent offenders as well as deter other criminality, which in turn helps make Tonbridge a safer place to live and visit.”